Triggering The Positive Emotional Attractor To Achieve A Change In Practice

We are all looking for more buy-in, greater fidelity, and strategies that will get to a change in practice. Right?

So how can this be achieved and how does identifying our superpowers help?

One thing leaders, supervisors, coaches, and professional development providers can do to get to a change in practice is trigger the positive emotional attractor (PEA) in themselves and those around them.

Here are a few research-based ways to trigger (activate) the positive emotional attractor:

1. Discuss and co-create a clear sense of purpose and vision (for self and the program/agency)
2. Coach and work from a place of compassion
3. Build upon strengths, having a positive outlook, and expressing gratitude
4. Ask questions that inspire hope and openness to possibilities

 

Curious about the role of the PEA in getting to a change in practice? Click here to register for an on-demand series designed for anyone who delivers professional development, plans conferences, teaches university classes, or is passionate about helping adult humans learn just about anything. Whether you are coaching, teaching, or presenting in person, virtually, or on on-demand…this series is for you! During the four sessions we’ll explore how to trigger the PEA…even when you are delivering PD virtually!

 

So how can we trigger the PEA during professional development and learning opportunities?

Click here to request an activity you can do during professional development with nearly 50 more ideas for triggering the PEA.

 

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Here are three practical ideas!

 

Idea # 1: Share Something Inspirational.

One easy way to incorporate inspiration into a coaching session, staff meeting, or professional development event is to watch an inspirational video. I highly recommend the videos from Gratitude Revealed…the one on gratitude is my favorite.

Here are links to a few more inspirational videos that will trigger the PEA:

• Message about connections [video]
• Message about consensus [video]
• Message about free spirits [video]

Idea #2: Find Your Superpowers.

Our superpowers not only make us unique, they make us effective and successful in our day-to-day interactions and work. When we focus on strengths we immediately trigger the PEA.

Click here to learn more about the Superpowers Self-Assessment. I’ve provided you with everything you need to help others find their superpowers (aka strengths)…and it’s all FREE!

 

Idea #3: Get A Clear Vision.

Any activity where we think about an ideal future, focus on what matters in our life, and explore our hopes and dreams, triggers the PEA. Here’s a quick activity you can do to help others to define, clarify, and put their passions into action…to help others say “yes” to the things that matter.

For this activity, you’ll need the Essence Glossary Attributes (aka Superpowers), or to any word list of values. Click here to access an expanded list and version of this activity.

Next, invite participants to circle the five attributes from the Essence Glossary™ they feel most aligned with, or that resonate with them the most. For example, my five include:

1. Creativity
2. Compassion
3. Discernment
4. Advocacy
5. Reliance

Take the five attributes and create a sentence that gives them context and definition. Either a sentence for each attribute, or in combination.

Here’s my example:

“I want to create, connect, and adapt information in ways that {r}revolutionize early care and education. I want to take actions to guide sound decision-making in the face of educational paradoxes. I want to create learning experiences that prioritize relationships and wholeness over mandates and fragmentation. I want to support early educators in working from a place of compassion, hope, and love.”

 

Here are a few more examples from professional development events I’ve facilitated.

• I want to live my life focusing first from a place of faith that everything has a purpose and can be used for good and in doing so, I will reinforce (tap into) my empathy for others and be driven to bring enjoyment, humor and compassion to help others effectively.
• Have balance in my life through authenticity, so that I am healthy in all areas, while helping others by utilizing a thoughtfulness approach to provide service, and not feed my ego.
• I hope to be conscious of my strengths and weaknesses to move my relationships forward with tolerance and fairness to all I encounter. I will try to apply restraint in readying and maintaining balance in my life and work.
• I value love as the connecting spiritual force for showing compassion…revealing, living, and influencing others along a pathway to the truth through positive leadership.

Intrigued by this process? Here is a bit of a back story for Idea #3…

A colleague of mine, Jonathan Fields, wrote a book titled, “How to Live A Good Life“. In one of his chapters (Know What Matters), he provides a set of steps to help identify what you value most, and then how to make decisions that are in line with your values. The ability is a necessary skill for an effective leaders. The intent is to help you begin “saying yes to those thing that genuinely matter most to you.”

 

Click here for an audio except where I was teaching about how to use the WOOP app mentioned in Jonathan’s Know What Matters chapter.